Kennedy Nolan facts for kids

Kennedy Nolan is an architecture company based in Melbourne, Australia. It was started in 1999 by Rachel Nolan and Patrick Kennedy. They met while studying at the University of Melbourne.

They mostly design homes. But they also work on schools, shops, and restaurants. Even as their projects get bigger, their buildings still feel cozy and welcoming.

Designing Unique Buildings

Kennedy Nolan pays close attention to small architectural details. They love to make these details interesting and fun.

For example, in the Laver House, they used a very large wooden cross-shaped column. It was so big it hid the hallway behind it! This shows their playful side. This playful style reminds us of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. He was a famous architect and a hero to Kennedy Nolan. He once said, "God is in the details."

Kennedy Nolan also looks closely at basic parts of buildings. Things like stairs and walls are very important to their designs. An architectural historian named Philip Goad said that Kennedy Nolan is special. He noted their deep study into how walls are designed.

What Inspires Their Work

Kennedy Nolan gets ideas from two main styles: Brutalist architecture and the Arts and Crafts movement. They like the "cultural sensitivity" of Arts and Crafts designs. They also admire the "social optimism" and new technologies of modernism.

They are inspired by famous buildings like The Barbican Estate. This was designed by Chamberlin, Powell and Bon. Other influences include Clyde Cameron College and Marcel Breuer's Hooper House II.

Cool Projects They've Built

Leahy Swingler House: A First Project

Kennedy Nolan's very first project was the Leahy Swingler House. This was a run-down Edwardian house in Melbourne. They renovated it and made it new again.

You can see their unique style right from the street. They designed a very large, angled chimney. It makes the house stand out. This project was so successful that it led Rachel Nolan and Patrick Kennedy to start their own company. It also won an award in 2001 from the Australian Institute of Architects.

George Street: Factory to Homes

In 2004, Kennedy Nolan changed an old factory in Fitzroy. They turned it into three townhouses. Each house was built on a small piece of land.

The new three-story complex used part of the old brick warehouse. This allowed the buildings to be very close to the next property. Patrick Kennedy said this project was their first chance to make a big statement in a public area. It looks like a mix of a house and a factory.

Awards and Recognition

Kennedy Nolan has won many awards for their amazing designs. Here are some of them:

• 2001: AIA Victorian Architecture Award for Residential Alterations & Additions
• 2004: AIA Victorian Architecture Award for Multi-residential projects
• 2007: AIA Victorian Architecture Award for Residential Alterations & Additions
• 2013: AIA Victorian Architecture Award for New Residential homes
• 2014: AIA Victorian Architecture Award for Residential Alterations & Additions (they won this twice in one year!)
• 2014: Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA): Winner, Overall
• 2019: AIA Victorian Architecture Award for New Residential, for Sandy Point House
• 2019: AIA Victorian Architecture Commendation for New Residential, for Fitzroy Lane
• 2021: AIA Fredrick Romberg Award for Residential Architecture, Multiple Housing for The Lothian
• 2023: AIA Melbourne Prize for Nightingale Village